US20160026779A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20160026779A1
Application number: US14/876,651
Authority: US
Inventors: David M. Grigg; Peter John Bertanzetti; Charles Jason Burrell; Carrie Anne HANSON; Joseph Neil Johansen; Michael E. Toth
Original assignee: Bank of America Corp
Current assignee: Bank of America Corp
Priority date: 2014-02-07
Filing date: 2015-10-06
Publication date: 2016-01-28
Also published as: US10050962B2; US9208301B2; US20160057144A1; US20150227727A1; US9819680B2

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as patterns of movement or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120

The present invention is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/175,643, entitled, “Determining User Authentication Requirements Based on the Current Location of the User in Comparison to User's Normal Boundary of Location”, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference and from which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

To supplement the present disclosure, this application further incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patent applications:


	U.S. patent
	application
Docket Number	Ser. No.	Title	Filed On

6015US1.014033.2098	14/175,639	DETERMINING USER	Feb. 7, 2014
		AUTHENTICATION
		REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE
		CURRENT LOCATION OF THE
		USER IN COMPARISON TO A
		USERS'S TRAVEL ROUTE
6015US3.014033.2100	14/175,646	DETERMINING USER	Feb. 7, 2014
		AUTHENTICATION
		REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE
		CURRENT LOCATION OF THE
		USER BEING WITHIN A
		PREDETERMINED AREA
		REQUIRING ALTERED
		AUTHENTICATION
		REQUIREMENTS
6016US1.014033.2101	14/175,701	USER AUTHENTICATION BASED	Feb. 7, 2014
		ON HISTORICAL TRANSACTION
		DATA
6017US1.014033.2102	14/175,947	USER AUTHENTICATION BASED	Feb. 7, 2014
		ON HISTORICAL USER BEHAVIOR
6018US1.014033.2103	14/175,954	USER AUTHENTICATION BY GEO-	Feb. 7, 2014
		LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO
		USER'S CLOSE NETWORK
6019US1.014033.2106	14/175,863	USER AUTHENTICATION BASED	Feb. 7, 2014
		ON OTHER APPLICATIONS
6020US1.014033.2107	14/175,615	USER AUTHENTICATION BASED	Feb. 7, 2014
		ON FOB/INDICIA SCAN
6021US1.014033.2108	14/175,688	USER AUTHENTICATION BASED	Feb. 7, 2014
		ON SELF-SELECTED PREFERENCES
6021US2.014033.2155	14/175,672	SELF-SELECTED USER ACCESS	Feb. 7, 2014
		BASED ON SPECIFIC
		AUTHENTICATION TYPES
6022US1.014033.2109	14/175,136	SHUTTING DOWN ACCESS TO ALL	Feb. 7, 2014
		USER ACCOUNTS
6023US1.014033.2110	14/175,146	PROVIDING AUTHENTICATION	Feb. 7, 2014
		USING PREVIOUSLY-VALIDATED
		AUTHENTICATION CREDENTIALS
6024US1.014033.2111	14/175,652	DETERMINING AUTHENTICATION	Feb. 7, 2014
		REQUIREMENTS ALONG A
		CONTINUUM BASED ON A
		CURRENT STATE OF THE USER
		AND/OR THE SERVICE REQUIRING
		AUTHENTICATION
6025US1.014033.2126	14/175,956	SORTING MOBILE BANKING	Feb. 7, 2014
		FUNCTIONS INTO
		AUTHENTICATION BUCKETS
6025US2.014033.2127	14/175,962	AUTHENTICATION LEVEL OF	Feb. 7, 2014
		FUNCTION BUCKET BASED ON
		CIRCUMSTANCES
6034US1.014033.2115	14/175,771	REMOTE REVOCATION OF	Feb. 7, 2014
		APPLICATION ACCESS BASED ON
		LOST OR MISAPPROPRIATED
		CARD
6034US2.014033.2116	14/175,786	REVOCATION OF APPLICATION	Feb. 7, 2014
		ACCESS BASED ON NON-CO-
		LOCATED

FIELD

In general, embodiments of the invention relate to user authentication and, more particularly, to determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location.

BACKGROUND

User authentication is typically required when a user conducts a transaction using a debit/credit card or seeks access to network-based services that store or have access to information that is personnel and/or warrants protection from unauthorized access by others (e.g., an online or mobile banking service or the like). User authentication serves to validate that the individual conducting the transaction is the individual authorized to use the debit/credit card account or that the individual seeking access to the network-based service is the individual authorized to access the service. Typically, a user provides authentication credentials, otherwise referred to herein as authentication requirements, (e.g., a user ID and password), which are then compared to the user's securely stored authentication credentials and, if the authentication credentials provided by the user match the stored authentication credentials, the user is allowed to conduct the transaction or gain access to the network-based service.

In addition to user inefficiency problems, entering authentication credentials in a public setting, such as a POS location or via a mobile device, presents risks that the authentication credentials may be nefariously intercepted by someone in the vicinity.

In today's computing networking environments, especially in the mobile or wireless realm, the entity that provides the network service or the authenticating entity may have instantaneous availability to other information, besides the user-provided authentication credentials, which can serve to at least assist in validating the identity of the user.

Therefore, a need exists to develop other methods, apparatus and computer program products for user authentication. The desired methods, apparatus and computer program products for user authentication should alleviate problems associated with inefficiencies in the current user authentication process and/or add additional security to the user authentication process. Further, the desired methods, apparatus and computer program products should leverage other information that the authenticating entity knows about the user at the time of the authentication request to assist in the authentication process. In this regard, the other information known about the user may serve to adjust the authentication requirements/credentials that the user must provide to gain access or, in some instances, eliminate the need for the user to provide authentication requirements/credentials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Embodiments of the present invention address the above needs and/or achieve other advantages by determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as a pattern of movement (i.e., travel route) or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like. In this regard, if the user is determined to be within specified boundaries of a designated location associated with the user, minimal authentication requirements or, in some embodiments, no authentication requirements may be required. If the user is determined to be outside of the specified boundaries of a designated location by only a minimal distance (i.e., a slight deviation from the designated location), the user may be required to provide more in terms of authentication requirements/credentials (e.g., partial/soft authentication as opposed to full authentication). The specified boundary of a designated location may be highly specific, such as located within the user's office at a place of business, such that location outside the office while still located at the place of business (e.g., located within a conference room) may be deemed to be outside of the boundaries of the location and, as such, require more that minimal authentication credentials (e.g., partial/soft authentication). As such, the boundaries of the designated location may define authentication zones in which the degree of authentication required varies depending on which zone the user currently is located in.

Other known factors attributes associated with the user that define the current state of the user may also be implemented, in addition to the user's current location, in determining required authentication credentials needed to access the network service. In this regard, an authentication continuum may be provided in which the required authentication credentials are determined subjectively based on taking into account all of the known user attributes that define the user's current state, including but not limited to the user's current location.

In still further embodiments of the apparatus, the authentication requirements module is further configured to determine a point along an authentication continuum based on the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and the current time to the predetermined pattern of movement, wherein the point along the authentication continuum is used, at least in part, to determine the authentication requirements. In such embodiments, the authentication requirements may be subjectively determined based on other factors in addition to the current location of the user.

In still further embodiments the apparatus includes a service access module that is stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The service access module is configured to determine a level of access available to the user of the service upon the user providing the determined authentication requirements. The level of access defines functionality available to the user within the service based on the determined authentication requirements and the level of access is granted to the user in response to the user providing the determined authentication requirements.

A method for determining user authentication requirements defines second embodiment of the invention. The method includes receiving a request for a user to access a service requiring authentication and, in response to receiving the request, determining (1) a current physical location of the user and a current time and (2) that the user is associated with a predetermined pattern of movement. The predetermined pattern of movement includes location boundaries and a time period. The method further includes determining proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and current time to the predetermined pattern of movement. In addition, the method includes determining authentication requirements for the user to access the service based on the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and the current time to the predetermined pattern of movement. In response the determining the authentication requirements, the user is requested to provide the determined authentication requirements and is provided access to the service in response to the user providing the determined authentication requirements/credentials.

In specific embodiments of the method, determining the authentication requirements further includes determining a level of authentication required for the user to access the service based on the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and the current time to the predetermined pattern of movement. In such embodiments, each level of authentication is defined by at least one of a predetermined distance threshold or a predetermined time threshold. Specific examples of levels of authentication include, but are not limited to, a no-authentication-required level, a partial authentication level and a full authentication level. The no-authentication-required level (i.e., no authentication required for the user to access the network service) may be based on the user currently being physically located within the predetermined boundaries of the pattern of movement and the current time being within the time period for the user to be located within the pattern of movement. The partial authentication level (i.e., less than full authentication requirements/credentials required to access the network service) may be based on one of either (a) the user currently being physically located within predetermined boundaries of the pattern of movement or (b) the user currently being physically located outside of the pattern of movement by a predetermined distance (i.e., minimal deviation) and the current time being within a predetermined time period for the user to be located within the pattern of movement. The full authentication level may be based on one of (1) the user currently being physically located outside of the pattern of movement by a predetermined distance (i.e., significant deviation), or (2) the current time being outside of a predetermined time period for the user to be located within the pattern of movement.

In other specific embodiments of the method, determining the authentication requirements further includes determining a point along an authentication continuum based on the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and the current time to the predetermined pattern of movement. The point along the authentication continuum is used, at least in part, to determine the authentication requirements. In such embodiments, the authentication requirements may be subjectively determined based on other factors in addition to the current location of the user.

In still further embodiments the method includes determining a level of access available to the user of the service upon the user providing the determined authentication requirements. The level of access defines functionality available to the user within the service based on the determined authentication requirements, wherein the level of access is granted to the user in response to the user providing the determined authentication requirements.

A computer program product including a non-transitory computer-readable medium defines third embodiments of the invention. The computer-readable medium includes a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a request for a user to access a service requiring authentication and a second set of codes for causing a computer to, in response to receiving the request, determine (1) a current physical location of the user and a current time and (2) that the user is associated with a predetermined pattern of movement. The computer-readable medium additionally includes a third set of codes for causing a computer to determine proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and current time to a predetermined pattern of movement and a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to determine authentication requirements for the user to access the service based on the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and the current time to the predetermined pattern of movement. In response the determining the authentication requirements, the user is requested to provide the determined authentication requirements and is provided access to the service in response to the user providing the determined authentication requirements/credentials.

Thus, systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products herein described in detail below for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location (i.e., patterns of movement) associated with the user, such as a travel route or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more embodiments. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various embodiments may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such embodiments and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of an apparatus configured for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 provides a more detailed block diagram of an apparatus configured for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 provides a detailed block diagram of an alternate embodiment of apparatus configured for determining a user's authentication requirements for a network-based service based on proximity in distance and time to a predetermined pattern of movement, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 provides a detailed block diagram of an alternate embodiment of apparatus configured for determining user authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user being within a predefined area requiring altered (i.e., increased or decreased) authentication requirements, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 provides a detailed block diagram of an alternate embodiment of apparatus configured for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific service along an authentication continuum based on a current state of the user and/or service attributes; and

FIG. 6 provides a flow diagram of a method for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Although some embodiments of the invention described herein are generally described as involving a “financial institution,” one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be utilized by other businesses that take the place of or work in conjunction with financial institutions to perform one or more of the processes or steps described herein as being performed by a financial institution.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the present invention may be embodied as an apparatus (e.g., a system, computer program product, and/or other device), a method, or a combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product comprising a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code/computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium.

Any suitable computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be utilized. The computer usable or computer readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (e.g., a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangible medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a time-dependent access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other tangible optical or magnetic storage device.

Computer program code/computer-readable instructions for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention may be written in an object oriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code/computer-readable instructions for carrying out operations of the invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods or apparatuses (the term “apparatus” including systems and computer program products). It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions, which execute by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions, which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. Alternatively, computer program implemented steps or acts may be combined with operator or human implemented steps or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of the invention.

According to embodiments of the invention described herein, various systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are herein described for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as the user's residence, place of business or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like. In this regard, if the user is determined to be within specified boundaries of a designated location associated with the user, minimal authentication requirements or, in some embodiments, no authentication requirements may be required. If the user is determined to be outside of the specified boundaries of a designated location by only a minimal distance (i.e., a slight deviation from the designated location), the user may be required to provide more in terms of authentication requirements/credentials (e.g., partial/soft authentication as opposed to full authentication). The specified boundary of a designated location may be highly specific, such as located within the user's office at a place of business, such that location outside the office while still located at the place of business (e.g., located within a conference room) may be deemed to be outside of the boundaries of the location and, as such, require more that minimal authentication credentials (e.g., partial/soft authentication). As such, the boundaries of the designated location may define authentication zones in which the degree of authentication required varies depending on which zone the user currently is located in.

Referring toFIG. 1, a block diagram is presented of an apparatus10 configured determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus10 includes a computing platform12 having amemory14 and at least oneprocessor16 in communication with thememory14. Thememory14 of apparatus10 storesauthentication requirements module18. Theauthentication requirements module18 is configured to determine the authentication requirements/credentials that a user is required to provide to access a network service that the user desires to access via a mobile communication device. A specific example a network service may include, but is not limited to, a mobile banking network service or the like. As such, theauthentication requirements module18 is configured to receive a request20 from a mobile communication device for a user to access a network-based service that requires user authentication22. The user authentication may be required to gain access to the network-service and/or to conduct a transaction on the network-service.

In response to receiving the request, themodule18 is configured to determine the current physical (i.e., geographic) location24 of the user. The user is known to themodule18 since the service request is coming from a mobile communication device that is identifiable by procedures discussed previously. The current physical location24 of the user may be determined by a location-determining mechanism (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) device or the like) in the mobile communication device or via wireless signals transmitted from the mobile device using triangulation methodology or the like.

Once theauthentication requirements module18 has the current physical location of the user24, themodule18 is further configured to determine the proximity indistance28 of the current physical location of the user24 to a predeterminedphysical location26. Themodule18 may access a user profile to determine that the user is associated with one or more predeterminedphysical locations26. The predeterminedphysical locations26 are geographic areas in which the user is frequently located, for example the user's place of residence, the user's place of business or the like. Predeterminedphysical locations26 may be predetermined based on user inputs that identify the location. In such embodiments a user who is travelling may designate specific physical location (e.g., a temporary residence or place of business) for a specific period of time (i.e., the travel period) and, as such, the predetermined physical locations may be temporal, in nature. In other embodiments of the invention, the predetermined physical locations may be determined intuitively in an automated fashion based on monitoring, over time, the location of the user in relation to their mobile device. In such embodiments, the user may notified (via an alert or the like) of such locations for the purpose of confirming the location as one in which less authentication requirements may be required to access a service.

Theauthentication requirements module18 is further configured to determine the authentication requirements30 (i.e., the authentication credentials required by the user) for the user to currently access the service based on the proximity indistance28 of the current physical location of the user24 to the predeterminedphysical location26. In specific embodiments of the invention, if the user is determined to be within the location boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location26, theauthentication requirements36 may be that no authentication is required by the user to access the service or partial authentication (i.e., soft authentication) is required. Partial authentication is defined as some form of authentication credentials less than full credentials. For example, if full credentials (i.e., standard credentials normally required to access the service) comprise a user ID, passcode and identification of a predetermined site key, partial credentials may be limited to user ID or the passcode or a less complex passcode, e.g., a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the like. If the user is determined to only slightly deviate from the predeterminedphysical location26, theauthentication requirements36 may be partial authentication (i.e., soft authentication). However, in the instance in which partial authentication is required when the user is determined to be within the predeterminedphysical location26 boundaries, the partial authentication that is required when the user has been determined to slightly deviate in proximity to the predetermined physical location may be different and more extensive than the partial authentication required when the user is determined to be within the boundaries predetermined physical location26 (i.e., partial/soft authentication may be on a sliding scale basis in which the amount/degree of authentication requirements/credentials increases the further in distance the user deviates from the boundaries of the predetermined physical location. Moreover, if the user is determined to be a predetermined distance (i.e., significant deviation) outside of the boundaries of the predetermined physical location, full authentication requirements/credentials may be required for the user to access the service.

Referring toFIG. 2, a block diagram is presented of an apparatus10 configured to determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus10 may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices. The apparatus10 is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such asauthentication requirements module18 and the like.

The apparatus10 includes computing platform12 that can receive and execute routines and applications. Computing platform12 includesmemory14, which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further,memory14 may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk.

Further, computing platform12 also includes at least oneprocessor16, which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device.Processor16 or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown inFIG. 2) that interfaces with any resident programs, such asauthentication requirements module18 or the like, stored in thememory14 of apparatus10.Processor16 includes various processing subsystems (not shown inFIG. 2) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus10 and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include any portion of the functionality ofauthentication requirements module18 obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory.

As previously noted in relation toFIG. 1,memory14 storesauthentication requirements module18 that is configured to determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location. Theauthentication requirements module18 is configured to receive a request20 from a mobile communication device for a user to access a network-based service that requires user authentication22. The user authentication may be required to gain access to the network-service and/or to conduct a transaction on the network-service.

Theauthentication requirements module18 is further configured to determine the authentication requirements30 (i.e., the authentication credentials required by the user) for the user to currently access the service based on the proximity indistance28 of the current physical location of the user24 to the predeterminedphysical location26.

In specific embodiments of the invention, theauthentication requirements module18 to determine theminimal authentication requirements32 for the user to access the service based on proximity indistance28 of the current physical location of the user24 to the predeterminedphysical location26. In such embodiments of the invention, the minimal authentication requirements may be no authentication required or partial authentication required based on the user being located within the boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location26. In such embodiment of the invention, in which the user gains access to the service by providing the minimal authentication requirements/credentials, the user may be provided access to decreasedfunctionality34 within the service (i.e., less than full functionality). Decreased functionality may limit the user in terms of the transactions they may conduct within the service, the transaction amounts and/or the information that is accessible to the user during the network session. In such embodiments of the invention, if the user desires full functionality within the service, the user may provide full authentication/requirements credentials.

In further embodiments, theauthentication module18 may be configured to determine a level ofauthentication36 from amongst a plurality of levels. Each level may be defined bypredetermined distance thresholds38 from the predeterminedphysical location26. Thepredetermined distance thresholds38 may vary depending on the type or specificity of the predeterminedphysical location26. In specific embodiments of the invention, the levels ofauthentication38 may define three levels of authentication, (1) no authentication level; (2) partial/soft authentication level and (3) full authentication.

The no authentication level may be based on the user currently being physically located24 within the boundaries of predeterminedphysical location26. The no authentication level is configured such that the user is not required to provide authentication credentials to access the service. The partial authentication level may be based on (1) the user currently being physically located24 within the boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location26, or (2) the user currently being physically located24 outside of the predetermined location by a predetermined distance (i.e., first distance threshold). The predetermined distance is typically configured such that it represents a slight deviation from the boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location26. The partial authentication level is configured such that the user is required to provide to some but less than full authentication requirements/credentials to access the service. For example, if full authentication credentials (i.e., standard credentials normally required to access the service) comprise a user ID, passcode and identification of a predetermined site key, partial credentials may be limited to user ID or the passcode or a less complex passcode, e.g., a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the like. The full authentication level may be based on the user currently being physically located24 outside of the boundaries of predeterminedphysical area26 by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is typically configured such that it indicates a significant deviation from the boundaries of the predetermined physical location. The full authentication level is configured such that the user is required to provide their designated full set of authentication requirements/credentials (i.e., the authentication requirements required if no other information is known about the user at the time of the request to access the service).

In alternate embodiments of the apparatus, theauthentication requirements module18 is configured to determine a point orlocation42 along anauthentication continuum40 based, at least in part, on current location24 of the user in relation to the boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location26. The point orlocation42 along theauthentication continuum40 defines the authentication requirements. In this regard, the authentication continuum may comprise a sliding scale such that one end of the continuum defines no authentication and the other end of the continuum defines full authentication. In such embodiments of the apparatus, other factors/attributes known about the user at the time of the request and/or attributes related to the service being accessed or the time of the service request may be used in the determination of the point or location along anauthentication continuum46. In such embodiments of the invention, the point/location along theauthentication continuum46 may be determined objectively (e.g., using distance and time thresholds) or subjectively, implementing heuristics or the like, to determine an optimal point along the authentication continuum based on the totality of information known about the user, the service or the environment at the time of the access request.

In further embodiments of the apparatus10, theauthentication module18 is configured to determineauthentication requirements30 by determining that the current location of the user24 is located within one of a plurality of zones of authentication. For example, a first zone ofauthentication44 may be defined by the boundaries of the user's place ofresidence46 and/or the user's place of business48. It should be noted that the first zone may further delineated to a specific location within the place of residence (e.g., specific apartment building, room or the like) or a specific location with the place of business (e.g., a specific building or office within a building). The first zone of authentication may define the authentication requirements as either no authentication required or partial authentication (less than full authentication requirements/credentials). In another example, a second zone ofauthentication50 may be defined by the residence of an individual associated with the user52 (e.g., a friend, relative or the like) and/or a place of business consistently frequented by the user54 (e.g., a grocery store, restaurant or the like). The second zone of authentication may define the authentication requirements as less than full authentication requirements and more than the authentication requirements required in the first zone.

In further embodiments the apparatus includes aservice access module56 that is stored in thememory14 and is executable by theprocessor16. Theservice access module56 is configured to determine a level ofaccess58 available to the user upon the user meeting the determined authentication requirements. The level of access defines functionality available to the user within the service and may be based on the proximity indistance60 of the current physical location of the user to the predetermined physical location. In such embodiments the determination of the level of access granted to the user may be independent of the determination of authentication requirements. While in other embodiments of the invention, the determination of the level of access may be independent of the determination of the proximity indistance60 of the current physical location of the user to the predetermined physical location (i.e., the determination of level of access may be based on other factors/attributes related to the user's current state, the current environment/time, and/or the network service being accessed. The level of access may define transactions (or transaction limits) that the user is authorized to conduct or information the user is authorized to access during the session.

Referring toFIG. 3, a block diagram is presented of an apparatus110 configured to determine a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a known typical travel route of the user, in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus110 may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices. The apparatus110 is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such asauthentication requirements module118 and the like.

The apparatus110 includes computing platform112 that can receive and execute routines and applications. Computing platform112 includes memory114, which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further, memory114 may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk.

Further, computing platform112 also includes at least one processor116, which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device. Processor116 or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown inFIG. 3) that interfaces with any resident programs, such asauthentication requirements module118 or the like, stored in the memory114 of apparatus110. Processor116 includes various processing subsystems (not shown inFIG. 3) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus110 and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include any portion of the functionality ofauthentication requirements module18 obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory.

The memory114 storesauthentication requirements module118 that is configured to determine a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a known typical travel route of the user. Theauthentication requirements module118 is configured to receive a request120 for a user to access a network-based service that requires user authentication122. The user authentication may be required to gain access to the network-service (e.g., an Internet-based service accessible via an application (i.e., “app”) executable on a user device, such as a mobile communication device) and/or to conduct a transaction on the network-service.

In response to receiving the request, themodule118 is configured to determine (1) the current physical (i.e., geographic)location124 of the user andtime126 and (2) that the user of the apparatus is associated with apredetermined travel route128 havinglocation boundaries130 and atime period132. The user is known to themodule118 since the service request is coming from a mobile communication device that is identifiable by procedures discussed previously. As such themodule118 accesses a user profile, or a database of known travel routes, to determine that the user is associated with one or more predetermined travel route. The currentphysical location124 of the user may be determined by a location-determining mechanism (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) device or the like) in the mobile communication device which sent the service access request or via wireless signals transmitted from the mobile communication device using triangulation methodology or the like.

Once theauthentication requirements module118 has determined that the user is associated with apredetermined travel route128 and has determined the current physical location of theuser124 and thecurrent time126, themodule118 is further configured to determine the proximity in distance andtime134 of the current physical location of theuser124 andcurrent time126 to the predetermined travel route128 (i.e., thelocation boundaries130 and time period132).

Theauthentication requirements module118 is further configured to determine the authentication requirements136 (i.e., the authentication credentials required by the user) for user to currently access the service based on the proximity in distance andtime134 of the current physical location of theuser124 andcurrent time126 to thepredetermined travel route128. In specific embodiments of the invention, the authentication requirements are defined by levels ofauthentication138. In specific embodiments of the invention, the levels ofauthentication138 may define three levels of authentication, (1) noauthentication level140; (2) partial/soft authentication level142 and (3)full authentication144.

The noauthentication level140 may be based on the user currently being physically located124 within thepredetermined location boundaries130 of thetravel route128 and thecurrent time126 being within thetime period132 of thetravel route128. The noauthentication level140 is configured such that the user is not required to provide authentication credentials to access the service.

Thepartial authentication level142 may be based on (1) the user currently being physically located124 within thepredetermined location boundaries130 of thetravel route128 and thecurrent time126 being within thetime period132 of thetravel route128 or (2) the user currently being physically located124 outside of thepredetermined location boundaries130 of thetravel route128 by a predetermined distance and/or thecurrent time126 being outside of thetime period132 by a predetermined allotted time. The predetermined distance and the predetermined allotted time are typically configured such that they are slight deviations from thelocation boundaries130 andtime period132 of thetravel route128. Thepartial authentication level140 is configured such that the user is required to provide to some but less than full authentication requirements/credentials to access the service. For example, if full authentication credentials (i.e., standard credentials normally required to access the service) comprise a user ID, passcode and identification of a predetermined site key, partial credentials may be limited to user ID or the passcode or a less complex passcode, e.g., a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the like.

Thefull authentication level144 may be based on (1) the user currently being physically located124 outside of thelocation boundaries130 oftravel route128 by a predetermined distance and/or (2) thecurrent time126 being outside of thetime period132 of thetravel route128 by a predetermined time. The predetermined distance and the predetermined time are typically configured such that they are significant deviations from thelocation boundaries130 andtime period132 of thetravel route128. Thefull authentication level144 is configured such that the user is required to provide their designated full set of authentication requirements/credentials (i.e., the authentication requirements required if no other information is known about the user at the time of the request to access the service).

In alternate embodiments of the apparatus, theauthentication requirements module118 is configured to determine a point or location along anauthentication continuum146 based, at least in part, oncurrent location124 of the user and thecurrent time126 in relation to thelocation boundaries130 and thetime period132 of thetravel route128. The point or location along the authentication continuum defines the authentication requirements. In this regard, the authentication continuum may comprise a sliding scale such that one end of the continuum defines no authentication and the other end of the continuum defines full authentication. In such embodiments of the apparatus, other factors/attributes known about the user at the time of the request and/or attributes related to the service being accessed or the time of the service request may be used in the determination of the point or location along anauthentication continuum146. In such embodiments of the invention, the point/location along theauthentication continuum146 may be determined objectively (e.g., using distance and time thresholds) or subjectively, implementing heuristics or the like, to determine an optimal point along the authentication continuum based on the totality of information known about the user, the service or the environment at the time of the access request.

In further embodiments the apparatus includes aservice access module148 that is stored in the memory114 and is executable by the processor116. Theservice access module148 is configured to determine a level ofaccess150 available to the user upon the user providing the determined authentication requirements. The level of access defines functionality available to the user within the service152 and may be based on the determined authentication requirements or may be determined independent of the determined authentication requirements. Functionality may be a transaction that the user is authorized to conduct or information the user is authorized to access during the session. The determination of the level ofaccess150 may take into account the proximity in distance and time of the user to the travel route, as well as other information known about the user or the user's current environment at the time of the access request.

Referring toFIG. 4, a block diagram is presented of an apparatus210 configured to determining user authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user being within a predefined area requiring altered (i.e., increased or decreased) authentication requirements, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus210 may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices. The apparatus210 is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such asauthentication requirements module218 and the like.

The apparatus210 includes computing platform212 that can receive and execute routines and applications. Computing platform212 includes memory214, which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further, memory214 may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk.

Further, computing platform212 also includes at least oneprocessor216, which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device.Processor216 or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown inFIG. 4) that interfaces with any resident programs, such asauthentication requirements module18 or the like, stored in the memory214 of apparatus210.Processor216 includes various processing subsystems (not shown inFIG. 4) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus210 and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include any portion of the functionality ofauthentication requirements module18 obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory.

Memory214 storesauthentication requirements module218 that is configured to determine user authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user being within a predefined area requiring altered (i.e., increased or decreased) authentication requirements. Theauthentication requirements module18 is configured to receive a request220 from a mobile communication device for a user to access a network-based service that requires user authentication222. The user authentication may be required to gain access to the network-service and/or to conduct a transaction on the network-service.

In response to receiving the request, themodule218 is configured to determine the current physical (i.e., geographic) location224 of the user. The user is known to themodule18 since the service request is coming from a mobile communication device that is identifiable by procedures discussed previously. The current physical location224 of the user may be determined by a location-determining mechanism (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) device or the like) in the mobile communication device or via wireless signals transmitted from the mobile device using triangulation methodology or the like. In specific embodiments, the determination of the altered authentication requirements may be temporal (i.e., the altered authentication requirements in the predeterminedphysical area226 exist only for a predetermined time period). In such embodiments, themodule218 is further configured to determine acurrent time34.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the predeterminedphysical area226 may be defined by theservice provider238. For example, if the service provider is a financial institution providing an online or mobile banking service the financial institution may identify certain areas as high risk and require increasedauthentication requirements230 in such areas. Examples of such high risk areas include, but are not limited to, areas having historically high rates offraud244, areas havingunsecured wireless communication242 and the like. In addition, the service provider may designate as area as requiring altered authentication requirements on a permanent basis or a temporary basis. For example, a service provider may designate a physical area where a heavily attended event is to be held as an area requiring increased authentication requirements for the time period over which the event will be held.

In other specific embodiments of the invention, the predeterminedphysical area26 may be defined by the user240. Such designation by the user may be permanent or temporary. For example, if the user is aware of upcoming travel plans, the user may designate travel routes or specific locations at the travel destination (i.e., hotels, residences, business offices) as areas requiring decreasedauthentication requirements232. Further, if the upcoming travel plans are a one-time only occurrence the user may designate the locations as requiring decreased authentication requirements on a temporary basis (i.e., for a time period that expires at the conclusion of the travel period). However, if the travel occurs on a regular and/or ongoing basis (e.g., permanent vacation residence, same business travel destination or the like), the user may designate the locations as requiring decreased authentication requirements on a permanent basis or for designated continual time periods (e.g., certain times of week, month, year, or the like.)

In those embodiments of the invention in which the predeterminedphysical area226 has alteredauthentication requirements228 during a specified predetermined time period236 (e.g., on a temporary basis or for designated time periods only), themodule218 is further configured to determine that thecurrent time234 is within the designate predetermined time period236, such that the alteredauthentication requirements228 designated for the predetermined time period236 are invoked.

In further embodiments, theauthentication module218 may be configured to determine a level ofauthentication246 from amongst a plurality of levels. Each level may be defined by predetermined based on distance threshold from the predeterminedphysical area226. The predetermined distance thresholds may vary depending on the type or specificity of the predeterminedphysical area226. In specific embodiments of the invention, the levels ofauthentication238 may define three levels of authentication, (1) no authentication level; (2) partial/soft authentication level and (3) heightened authentication.

The no authentication level may be based on the user currently being physically located224 within the boundaries of predeterminedphysical area226. The no authentication level is configured such that the user is not required to provide authentication credentials to access the service. The partial authentication level may be based on (1) the user currently being physically located224 within the boundaries of the predeterminedphysical location226, or (2) the user currently being physically located224 outside of the predetermined location by a predetermined distance. The partial authentication level is configured such that the user is required to provide to some, but less than full, authentication requirements/credentials to access the service. For example, if full authentication credentials (i.e., standard credentials normally required to access the service) comprise a username, and password, partial credentials may be limited to a less complex passcode, e.g., a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the like. The heightened authentication level may be based on the user currently being physically located224 within thephysical area226 and may require the user to input additional personal information or answers to out-of-wallet challenge questions.

In further embodiments the apparatus includes aservice access module248 that is stored in the memory214 and is executable by theprocessor216. Theservice access module248 is configured to determine a level ofaccess250 available to the user upon the user meeting the determined authentication requirements. The level ofaccess250 defines functionality available to the user within the service and may comprise decreased access to functionality252 (compared to normal functionality) or increased access to functionality254 (compared to normal functionality). In such embodiments the determination of the level ofaccess250 granted to the user may be independent of the determination of authentication requirements. The level of access may define transactions (or transaction limits) that the user is authorized to conduct or information the user is authorized to access during the session.

Referring toFIG. 5, a block diagram is presented of an apparatus310 configured to determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific service along an authentication continuum based on a current state of the user and/or service attributes, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus310 may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices. In specific embodiments the apparatus may be a server in communication with a mobile communication device or a mobile communication device. The apparatus310 is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such asauthentication requirements module318 and the like.

The apparatus310 includes computing platform312 that can receive and execute routines and applications. Computing platform312 includes memory314, which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further, memory314 may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk.

Further, computing platform312 also includes at least oneprocessor16, which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device.Processor316 or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown inFIG. 5) that interfaces with any resident programs, such asauthentication requirements module318 or the like, stored in the memory314 of apparatus310.Processor316 includes various processing subsystems (not shown inFIG. 5) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus310 and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include any portion of the functionality ofauthentication requirements module18 obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory.

Memory314 storesauthentication requirements module318 that is determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific service along an authentication continuum based on a current state of the user and/or service attributes, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Theauthentication requirements module318 is configured to receive a request320 from a mobile communication device for a user to perform a function, such as access a network-basedservice334 that requires user authentication322 or conduct a purchase transaction336 using a debit/credit card or the like.

In response to receiving the request, themodule318 is configured to determine the at least one of current physical state/condition of the user324 and/or attributes related to thefunction326 requiring access. The user is known to themodule318 since the service request is coming from a mobile communication device that is identifiable by procedures discussed previously. The current physical state324 of the user may be determined by mechanisms disposed in the wireless communication device, such as location-determining mechanisms (Global Positioning System (GPS) device or the like), accelerometers, other sensors or the like. The current state of the user324 may include but is not limited to, the geographic location of the user338 (in relation to the mobile communication device), the movement of the user in aspecified direction344, the movement of the user across apredetermined boundary line342, the change in location direction of the user340 or the like.

Once theauthentication requirements module318 has determined at least one of the current physical state of the user324 and/or attributes related to thefunction326, themodule18 is further configured to determine alocation330 along anauthentication continuum328 based, at least in part, on at least one of (1) a current physical state/condition of the user324, or (2) an attribute related to thefunction326. The location along the authentication continuum defines the authentication requirements/credentials332 required for the user to perform the function (i.e., access a service, conduct a transaction or the like). In specific embodiments of the invention, the authentication continuum is a sliding-scale continuum in which one end of the continuum is defined by no authentication required to perform the function, the opposite end of the continuum is defined by either full authentication required, heightened authentication required (i.e., additional authentication requirements beyond standard authentication requirements, e.g., additional personal information from the user or answers to out-of-wallet challenge questions) or no authentication allowed at this time and locations in between vary the degree/amount of authentication requirements required for the user to perform the function.

In specific embodiments of the invention, thelocation330 along theauthentication continuum328 is an objective determination based on the at least one of the current physical state/condition of the user324 and/or inclusion or omission of attributes related to thefunction326. In other specific embodiments of the invention, thelocation30 along theauthentication continuum328 is determined subjectively352, implementing heuristics or the like, based on a totality of the current physical state/condition of the user324, the attributes related to thefunction326 and any other conditions/attributes354 or the like related to the user or the function which may affect the authentication requirements. Conditions/attributes354 related to the user are those that have an effect on validating the identity of the user and conditions attributes354 of the function are those that have an effect on the risk involved with the function or providing access to the function.

In further embodiments, theauthentication module318 may be configured to determine a level ofauthentication356 from amongst a plurality of levels. Each level may be predetermined based on different authentication requirement criteria related to the state of the user or the attributes of the function. In specific embodiments of the invention, the levels of authentication338 may define four levels of authentication, (1) no authentication level; (2) partial/soft authentication level, (3) full authentication level, and (4) heightened authentication level.

The no authentication level is configured such that the user is not required to provide authentication credentials to access the service. The partial authentication level is configured such that the user is required to provide to some, but less than full, authentication requirements/credentials to access the service. For example, if full authentication credentials (i.e., standard credentials normally required to access the service) comprise a username, and password, partial credentials may be limited to a less complex passcode, e.g., a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the like. The full authentication level is configured such that standard/normal authentication requirements/credentials are required for the user to perform the function. The heightened authentication level may require the user to input additional personal information or answers to out-of-wallet challenge questions.

In further embodiments the apparatus includes afunction level module358 that is stored in the memory314 and is executable by theprocessor316. Thefunction level module358 is configured to determine a level offunctionality360 available to the user upon the user meeting the determined authentication requirements. The level offunctionality360 defines functions available362 to the user within the service may be independent of the determination of authentication requirements. The level offunctionality360 may define transactions (or transaction amount limits364) that the user is authorized to conduct or information the user is authorized to access during the session.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting amethod400 for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a user's normal boundary of location, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. AtEvent402, a request is received for a user to access a network-based service that requires user authentication. The user authentication may be required to gain access to the network-service (e.g., an Internet-based service accessible via an application (i.e., “app”) executable on a user device, such as a mobile communication device) and/or to conduct a transaction on the network-service.

AtEvent404, in response to receiving the request, a determination is made as to the current physical (i.e., geographic) location of the user. The current physical location of the user may be determined by a location-determining mechanism (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) device or the like) in the mobile communication device which sent the service access request or via wireless signals transmitted from the mobile communication device using triangulation methodology or the like.

AtEvent406, once the determination is made of the current physical location of the user, a determination is made of the proximity in distance and time of the current physical location of the user and current time to a predetermined physical location associated with the user. As previously noted, the user is known to the module since the service request is coming from a mobile communication device that is identifiable by procedures discussed previously. As such the module accesses a user profile or the like to determine that the user is associated with one or more predetermined physical locations.

AtEvent408, authentication requirements/credentials for the user to currently use as means to access the service are determined based on the proximity in distance of the current physical location of the user to the predetermined physical location. The authentication requirements/credentials determined may dictate that the user provide no authentication credentials to access the service, partial/soft authentication credentials or full authentication credentials based on the proximity in distance and/or time of the user to the predetermined physical location.

Thus, systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products described above provide for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as the user's residence, place of business or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible.

Those skilled in the art may appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.